Display boxes



N. HOLTZMAN Jan. 6, 1959 DISPLAY BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1955 m r d n u w p. m l

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N. HOLTZMAN Jan. 6, 1959 DISPLAY BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 2, 1955 INVENTOR. AfoQMA/v 192x. 'rz/14AM, BY

nited States Patent F DISPLAY BOXES N orman Holtzman, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to laper Mate Manufacturing Company, 'Culver City, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application May 2, 1955, Serial No. 505,485

14 Claims. (Cl. 40-7) l`he present invention relates to boxes for holding articles, and more particularly to paper boxes capable of displaying and advertising the articles which they contain.

An object of the invention is to provide a display box having a slidable panel adapted to contain advertising material, the panel being disposed initially in collapsed position with respect to the box to facilitate packaging, shipping and handling of the box and its contents, the panel then being easily extended relative to the box and locked in extended position, rendering the advertising material thereon readily visible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display box having a slidable panel adapted to contain advertising material, the panel being disposed initially in a lower collapsed or telescoped position with respect to the box and being easily elevated to extend substantially above the box, in which position the panel is automatically locked in place to prevent its inadvertent return to its lower collapsed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a display box having a panel disposed initially in a lower collapsed position with respect to the box, the panel being slidable along the box to a position in which it extends substantially above the box, in which position it is automatically locked against substantial upward or downward movement relative to the box.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is an isometric projection of a display box, embodying a slidable display panel disposed in extended position relative to the box, as seen from the front and side of the box;

Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of the display box shown in Fig. l, as seen from the side and back of the box;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the box disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, with the slidable display panel in its initial collapsed position relative to the box;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 4 4 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 5 5 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 6 6 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 7 7 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an isometric projection as seen from the rear 2,867,048 Patented Jan. 6, 1959 2 and side of another embodiment of the display box, with the slidable panel in extended position;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation on an enlarged scale of the display box shown in Fig. 8, with the slidable panel disposed in its initial retracted position relative to the box;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section taken along the line 10-10 on Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is an enlarged section taken along the line 11 11 on Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of still another form of the invention, with the slidable panel locked in its upper extended position;

Fig. 13 is a generally vertical section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 13 13 on Fig. 12.

In its general aspects, the invention contemplates a box adapted to contain certain articles in positions in which they can be readily displayed to prospective purchasers, this box embodying a slidable advertising panel in its rear portion which is initially disposed in a retracted or lower position relative to the box. The structure of the box itself acts as a guide for the slidable panel, which can be extended or elevated substantially with respect to the upper portion of the box, so that the advertising material on the panel becomes visible. All that is required is to grasp the panel and move it upwardly to the desired extent, in which the panel will automatically become locked in its upward extended position with respect to the box. The locking arrangement is preferably such that the panel cannot be telescoped nor shifted back to its initial retracted position with respect to the box. In addition, it cannot be elevated beyond a predetermined extent with respect to the box, to be inadvertently pulled or removed entirely therefrom.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. l to 7, inclusive, a box 10 made of paper material, or similar readily bendable material, is disclosed having opposed side panels 11, 11 terminating in a front panel 12, and a back panel 13. The back panel 13 preferably extends substantially above the front panel 12, to dispose a top panel 14, extending between the upper edges of the front panel and the back panel in an inclined position, the direction of inclination being downward and forwardly of the box. The box also may have a suitable bottom (not shown) associated with the front, back and side panels, to reinforce the entire structure. The top panel 14 may have portions 15 adapted to receive and hold certain articles (not shown) in a visible and attractive manner.

The general structure of the main portion of the box forms no part of the present invention and need not be described in detail. It is suiiicient to indicate that it is preferably made from paper material, suitably folded and secured together to provide the general box shape ydisclosed, the top display panel 14 being arranged in such manner as to support articles in an attractive and readily visible position. In the form of invention shown in Figs. l to 7, inclusive, the side panels 11, 11 are of generally trapezoidal form, the upper edges 11a being inclined to place the top panel 14 in the inclined position referred to above.

The back panel 13 has a pair of opposed guide tabs 16 struck therefrom in a rearward direction, to provide openings 17 inthe back panel. Each guide tab 16 is adjacent the side margin of the back panel 13, its top and bottom edges 18, 19, as well as its inner edge 20, being free from the back panel 13, but still being integrated to the back panel along the outer edge or hinge line 21, about which the guide tab 16 can flex slightly. The guide tabs 16 are normally struck outwardly only a slight distance, being disposed closely adjacent the main portion of the back panel 13 itself.

The inner edges l20 of the guide tabs face toward each other, the guide tabs coacting with the main por- ICC tion of the back panel 13 to form guides for a slidable display panel 22 which preferably has a width slightly less than the distance between the hinge line portions 21 of the guide tabs. This display vpanel has a pair of opposed locking tabs 23 at its bottom portion, each of which is folded about a fold line or hinge line 24 at the side edge of the sliding panel against the forward or front face 22a of the sliding panel. The locking tabs 23 tend to spring inherently in a forward direction to some extent, but are initially adapted to be held in a condition folded against the front face 22a of the sliding panel by the rear face of the back panel 13 of the box.

The slidable display panel 22 is disposed initially in a collapsed or telescoped position with respect to the box. As shown, such position is a lower retracted position along the back panel 13 of the box, in which the locking tabs 23 are folded against the front face 22a of the panel 22 and held thereagainst by the back panel 13 of the box, such as disclosed most clearly in Figs.

3 and 7. The panel 22 itself is retained in assembled position with respect to the box by the guide tabs 16 that extend over the rear face 2211 of the panel 22. As stated above, the back panel 13 keeps the locking tabs 23 folded against the front face 22a of the sliding panel 22, but such locking tabs tend to spring in a forward direction. Such locking tabs 23 are of a height and width companion to the height and width of the openings 17 in the back panel 13, so that the tabs 23 can project therethrough.

The display box with the sliding panel in its downward position may be suitably packaged and shipped, the entire structure thereby occupying a minimum amount of space. When the display panel 22 is to be utilized, it need merely be pulled upwardly along the back panel 13, the guide tabs 16 insuring the proper upward sliding of the panel 22 along the back panel until the locking tabs 23 are disposed opposite the openings 17 in the back panel, whereupon such locking tabs will spring in a forward direction into the openings, which will preclude further upward movement of the display panel 22 relative to the box. At the same time, the locking tabs 23 are also engageable with the lower edges of the openings 17, to prevent return or downward movement of the display panel relative to the box. The guide tabs 16 themselves prevent rearward movement of the dsplay panel 22 with respect to the back panel 13 of the box and the entire box structure itself.

In the manner just described, the main portion of the display panel 22 is elevated substantially above the upper edge of the back panel (as in Fig. l), so that the advertising material on the front face 22a of the display panel becomes readily visible, the display panel 22 being locked in such predetermined elevated position and being prevented front descending inadvertently from such elevated position.

In the form of invention disclosed in Figs. 8 to l1, inclusive, a display box of the same general type as shown in Figs. l to 7, inclusive, is utilized. The back panel structure of the box is somewhat diterent from the form of invention previously described. It includes an outer back panel member preferably integral with the side panels 11a at their common corners about which the side panels are bent relative to the outer back panel, and an inner back panel 41 which is swung about an upper hinge line 42 connecting it to the outer back panel and in a downward direction, this inner back panel terminating adjacent an article holding structure 14a and being disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the outer back panel 40.

The upper leading edge of the outer and inner back panels at the hinge line 42 are formed with a longitudinally extending slot or opening 43, the ends of which terminate inwardly of the side panels 11a. Extending into this opening 43 and between the outer and inner back panels 40, 41 is a slidable display panel 22d which initially occupies a lower telescoped position between the panel members 40, 41 with its lower end capable of resting upon the upper panel structure 14a, in which posi'- tion the upper portion of the slidable panel 22a' extends out of the slot 43 to a slight extent above the outer and inner back panels. At its lower portion, the slidable display panel 22d has a pair of locking tabs 23a integral therewith and foldable toward each other about the vertical hinge lines 45 of the slidable panel against the rear face 22e of the slidable panel. These locking tabs 23a inherently tend to spring rearwardly away from the rear face 22e of the slidable panel, but are prevented from doing so when the slidable panel is disposed in its lower position within the box structure by the forward face 40a of the outer back panel 40.

Near its upper end, the outer back panel 40 is provided with a plurality, such as a pair, of openings 46 conforming in dimension to the height and width of locking tabs 23a, and being spaced apart substantially the same distance as the locking tabs 23a when they are collapsed against the rear face 22e of the slidable panel 22. When the slidable panel 22d is elevated within the outer and inner back panels 40, 41, it is guided in its elevating movement by the end portions of the box structure deiining the longitudinal slot 43. When elevated to a position in which the locking tabs 23a are disposed in alignment with the openings 46 in the outer hack panel 40, the locking tabs spring outwardly in a rearward direction through the openings to preclude further upward movement of the display panel 22d relative to the box. Such upward movement is prevented, inasmuch as the upper edges of the locking tabs 23a will engage the upper ends of the outer back panel defining the openings 46. Similarly, downward movement of the display panel 22a' relative to the box structure is prevented by engagement of the lower edges of the locking tabs 23a with the lower ends of the outer back panel defining the openings 46.

It is, therefore, apparent that the display panel disclosed in Figs. 8 to 1l, inclusive, is positively located in its lower position by engaging the upper panel structure 14a of the box, that it is retained within the space between the inner and outer back panel members 41, 40, and that it can be elevated to a position in which substantially all of the panel is disposed above the upper portion of the back panel structure 40, 41 and locked in such elevated position against further upward movement, as well as against retracting movement, by the outward springing of the locking tabs 23a into the openings 46 in the outer back panel 40.

In the form of invention disclosed in Figs. 12 and 13, the rear portion of the box structure is provided by an inner back panel member 50 and an outer `back panel member 51, the outer back panel member being folded about the upper hinge line 42a where it is connected to the' inner panel member and then moved downwardly alongside the inner member. The outer back panel member 51 is secured to the inner member 50 by locking tabs S2 at the lower portion of the outer panel member. extending through companion spaced openings 53 1n tne lower portion of the inner back panel member 50.

A slidable display panel 22g is mounted between the outer and inner back panel members S1, 50 of the box structure. This display panel is not only slidable between these members, but it also extends through a longitudinally extending slot 43a in the upper hinge portion of the members, the ends of the slot 43a terminating slightly inwardly of the side edges of the inner back panel 50. The slidable panel 22g is provided with oppositely directed lateral foot portions 54 that underlie the hinge portions 42a of the back panel structure. Between these foot portions, the lower intermediate part 5S of the slidable panel terminates above the -lower ends of the foot portions 54, such intermediate end 55 being adapted to rest upon the locking tabs 52 when the slidable panel is in its collapsed or lowermost position within the box structure, in which its upper portion projects slightly above the hinge line 42a of the back panel members, such as shown in broken lines in Fig. 12.

The outer back panel 51 has a holding tab 56 struck forwardly therefrom about a hinge line 57 near the upper portion of the outer panel member 22g, this holding tab being folded in an upward direction about the hinge line 57 so as to be disposed in spaced relation to the upper portion of the outer panel, providing a groove 58 in which the lower portion 22h of the sliding panel 22g is receivable.

When the slidable panel 22g is pulled upwardly above the upper meeting edge 42a of the outer and inner panels S1, 50, such upward movement is guided by the edges of the panels defining the slot 43a, as well as by the outer and inner panels 51, 50 themselves. The limit of upward movement of the slidable panel 22g is determined by engagement of the upper ends of the outwardly extending foot portions 54 with the hinge portions 42a of the back panel structure. When such engagement occurs, the lower end 22h of the intermediate portion of the slidable panel will be disposed above the holding tab 56, which normally tends to spring forward into engagement with the inner back panel member 50. Thereafter, the slidable panel 22g can be lowered slightly, its intermediate portion 22h moving downwardly within the groove 58 defined between the outer back panel 51 and the holding tab 56, and coming to rest upon the fold line 57 of the outer back panel structure, which prevents further descent of the slidable panel 22g.

It is thus apparent that with the form of invention disclosed in Figs. 12 and 13, the lowermost position of the slidable panel is determined by engagement of its intermediate edge portion 55 with the locking tabs 52 of the panel structure itself, its upward position being limited by engagement of the outwardly extending feet 54 with the hinge portion 42a of the back panel structure. When this latter engagement occurs, the panel 22g need merely be lowered slightly, to place it in its locked position against return mo-vement to its lowermost position. Accordingly, the display panel 22g will be held with its main portion elevated substantially above the upper edge 42a of the back panel structure, where the advertising material on its front face is readily visible.

The inventor claims:

1. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a movable display panel adapted to occupy a retracted position in substantial face-to-face relation with and adjacent to said back panel; means for slidably guiding said display panel for movement from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; a laterally biased and movable lock means on one panel; and means provided on the other panel for locking engagement with said laterally movable lock means for securing the display panel in such extended position.

2. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel adapted to occupy a retracted position relative to and adjacent said back panel; means for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; one of said panels having a folded expandable tab thereon; and the other of said panels having an opening to receive said tab when said display panel is shifted to an extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

3. ln a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel adapted to occupy a retracted position relative to and adjacent said back panel; means for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; one of said panels having a spring-like tab thereon held folded against said one panel by the other of said panels when said display panel is in retracted position; and said other of said panels having an opening into which said tab can spring when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

4. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel adapted to occupy a retracted position relative to and adjacent said back panel; means for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; said display panel having spring-like tabs thereon held folded against said display panel when said display panel is in retracted position; said back panel having openings into which said tabs can spring when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

5. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel slidable along the rear face of said back panel and adapted to occupy a retracted position relative thereto; means on said back panel for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; spring-like tabs on said display panel held folded thereagainst by said rear face of said back panel when said display panel is in retracted position; said back panel having openings into which said tabs can spring in a forward direction when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

6. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel slidable along the rear face of said back panel and adapted to occupy a retracted position relative thereto; spaced guide tabs struck outwardly from said back panel to provide spaced openings therein; said display panel being disposed between said guide tabs and rear face of said back panel to be guided in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; spring-like lock tabs on said display panel held folded thereagainst by said rear face of said back panel when said display panel is in retracted position; said lock tabs springing in a forward direction into said spaced openings when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

7. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel slidable along said back panel and adapted to occupy a retracted position relative thereto; spaced guide tabs struck from said back panel to provide spaced openings therein; said display panel being disposed between said guide tabs and back panel to be guided in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; spring-like lock tabs on said display panel held folded thereagainst by said back panel when said display panel is in retracted position; said lock tabs springing into said spaced openings when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

8. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel slidable along said back panel and adapted to occupy a lower retracted position relative thereto; spaced guide tabs struck from said upper portion of said back panel to provide spaced openings therein; said display panel being disposed between said guide tabs and back panel to be guided in sliding from said lower retracted position to an elevated position relative to said back panel; spring-like lock tabs on the lower portion of said 'display panel held folded thereagainst by said back panel when said display panel is in said lower retracted position; said lock tabs springing into said spaced openings when said display panel is shifted to elevated position to secure said display panel in such elevated position.

9. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel slidable along the forward face of said back panel and adapted to occupy a retracted position relative thereto; means on said back panel for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; springlike tabs on said display panel held folded thereagainst by said forward face of said back panel when said display panel is in retracted position; said back panel having openings into which said tabs can spring in a rearward direction when said display panel is shifted to extended position to secure said display panel in such extended position.

10. In a display device: a box structure including a back panel; a display panel adapted to occupy a retracted position relative to and adjacent said back panel; means for guiding said display panel in sliding from said retracted position to an extended position relative to said back panel; and a folded expandable lock tab extending7 from one of said panels and engageable with the other of said panels for securing said display panel in such extended position.

l1. In a display device: a box including a vertically extending back panel member having inner and outer panel sections overlying each other; a display panel member slidably disposed in retracted position between said panel sections and extending through a slot in said back panel member; a horizontally expandable lock tab extending from one of said panel members and engageable with the other of said panel members to secure said display panel member in extended position relative to said back panel member.

l2. In a display device: a box including a back panel member having inner and outer panel sections overlying each other; a display panel member slidably disposed in retracted position between said panel sections and extending through a slot in said back panel member; said outer panel section having an opening therein; and a spring-like rearwardly facing lock tab extending from said display panel member and expandable into said opening to secure said display panel member in extended position relative to said back panel member.

13. In a display device: a box including a back panel member having inner and outer panel sections overlying each other; a display panel member slidably disposed in retracted position between said panel sections and extending through a slot in said back panel member; one of said panel sections having an expandable lock tab folded thereagainst by said display panel member when said display panel member is in retracted position, said lock'tab being engageable with said display panel member to secure said display panel member in extended position relative to said back panel member.

14. In a display device: a box including a back panel member having inner and outer panel sections overlying each other; a display panel member slidably disposed in retracted position between said panel sections and 6X- tending through a slot in said back panel member; said outer panel section having a spring-like lock tab extending in an upward direction and held folded thereagainst by said display panel member when said display panel member is in retracted position, said lock tab being engageable with said display panel member ,to secure said display panel member in an elevated position relative to said back panel member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 362,926 Benninghaus May 17, 1887 1,929,615 Tanner Oct. 10, 1933 2,115,243 Schmidt Apr. 26, 1938 2,209,657 Martin July 30, 1940 2,538,318 Mitchell Jan. 16, 1951 2,626,567 Vogt Jau. 27, 1953 2,745,543 Broderick May 15, 1956 2,779,115 Durham Jan. 29, l957 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,423 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1906 

